City of Byron City Council met Feb. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Rickard called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Rickard
3. ROLL CALL – Aldermen present: *Todd Isaacs, Emily Gerdes, Dan Reilly, Zeke Hobbie, Michael Gyorkos, Christy Hanlin. Six members present by roll call vote. Quorum established.
* - denotes start of the roll call vote
Aldermen Absent: Mittzi Fulrath
PRESENT: Mayor, John Rickard
City Clerk, Caryn Huber
City Attorney, Kim Krahenbuhl
Dir. Of Public Works, Aaron Vincer
Police Chief, Todd Murray
Dir. of Econ. Dev., Larry Hewitt
City Engineer, Jason Stoll
Citizens, Bill Pirnat
4. REVERENCE PERIOD – A moment of silence was held for Officer Robert McNeely, whose mother passed away
5. APPROVAL/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA –Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve, as presented, the February 19, 2020, agenda. Seconded by Alderman Gerdes. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE, 6; NAY, 0; ABS 0.
6. MINUTES –
a. February 5, 2020, Regular Council Meeting Minutes – Motion made by Alderman Hobbie to approve, as presented, the February 5, 2020, Regular Council Meeting minutes, seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
8. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Caryn Huber included the January 2020 Treasurer’s Report in Dropbox. She reported that she has begun conversations with Byron Bank and is planning to make changes on four CDs in order to take advantage of CD specials that will increase the amount of interest we are earning. In addition, there is one account she will change to an Investor account in order to receive.65% instead of the.15% we are currently earning. There are two Police checking accounts that will be changed to savings accounts in order to earn interest.
9. LIST OF BILLS - The tentative bills for the City of Byron were presented to the Council for discussion. Alderman Isaacs asked about the bill from DFC Fence Inc. Director Vincer explained this was to widen the gate to the enclosed dumpster located in City Parking Lot 1. Motion by Alderman Hanlin to approve the list of bills dated February 19, 2020, in the amount of $67,791.46. Seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Reilly, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT – Byron Bank has asked us to provide a Corporate Resolution adding Treasurer Huber to the list of authorized signatures. Other authorized signatures include the Mayor, Chief Murray, Director Vincer, and Melissa Baxter. Alderman Isaacs asked if one or two signatures are needed. Mayor Rickard replied that they try to have two signatures, but only one is required. Alderman Isaacs asked if Melissa Baxter reconciles the bank statements, and he was informed that she does. From an auditing standpoint, he questioned whether it is possible to require two signatures for Melissa only. The Mayor suggested this item move to committee for discussion. The Resolution for the five signatures is 2019-5. Alderman Reilly motioned to approve Resolution 2019-5, authorizing the five signatures, seconded by Alderman Isaacs. Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – No report.
12. CITY ENGINEER’S PROJECT STATUS – Engineer Stoll reported that testing on Mill Road was conducted today, and we are waiting for the lab reports. They will be installing the meters to measure ground water.
13. REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT –Director Hewitt reported that Ken Mrozek no longer has an office on 2nd St. “Speak and Eat” will now occupy that space. This is an audiologist and nutritionist. He will have more information about the business after meeting with them on Friday. • Construction has started on two new homes in Fawn Ridge. They are aware of the winter frost issues. • Director Hewitt spoke with Byron Forest Preserve Executive Director Todd Tucker about the possibility of joining in a health insurance conglomerate. He and Director Vincer will be receiving additional information about this.
14. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Director Vincer reported that there was one plow failure during the last snow. Bill Hanlin was able to repair it. We are still within our pre- bought salt, but after this load we will have to purchase additional salt. • Public Works has been doing updates (paint, flooring) to the Public Works building and to the sewer plant. • The department has just purchased four water meters with a new technology that enables them to turn water on and off remotely. These will be tested on residents that are consistently on the monthly shut off list.
15. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Community Services – Alderman Gerdes reported that there are items under New Business that the committee will make recommendations on.
b. Public Safety – No report.
c. Administrative – No report.
16. CONTINUING BUSINESS –
a. Rush Property – Nothing new to report.
17. NEW BUSINESS –
a. Adopt Budget System – Mayor Rickard reported that since we have a budget officer, we can file a budget rather than appropriations. There is a question whether to adopt an ordinance that approves the budget, or not. If the budget needs to be changed, the change would have to be done by ordinance also. Attorney Krahenbuhl expressed concern over the expense of publication requirements if we chose to pass an ordinance. We will still need to have a public hearing and the budget available for the public to view 10 days prior to that hearing. By general consent, Mayor Rickard stated that we will approve the budget by motion rather than ordinance.
b. Declare Excess Equipment – Street Sweeper – Alderman Gerdes reported that the committee is recommending the approval of Resolution 2019-6, declaring the street sweeper as excess equipment. Roll call vote: Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
c. Street Sweeper Purchase – Alderman Gerdes reported that the committee is recommending the purchase of a new street sweeper. Director Vincer is comparing two machines (both under $170,000) as far as performance and service. Funds will come out of the Road and Bridge account over five years. The total payments coming out of this account total approximately $60,000/yr. which includes payments on the dump truck (until 2023) and the sweeper (2025). Director Vincer will make a recommendation on a specific sweeper at the next meeting. Depending on the manufacturer, there may be an additional financing option to consider. Alderman Reilly motioned to approve the request for Director Vincer to pursue purchasing a street sweeper up to $170,000, pending a contract. Motion seconded by Alderman Gyorkos. Roll call vote: Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
d. 2020 Streets Program – Alderman Gerdes reported that the committee recommends the approval of Street Package Option 2 for a total of $507,356.44. Once approved, Engineer Stoll will begin the bidding process. Second read is waived. Alderman Isaacs asked about the removal of the Colfax project from the package. Engineer Stoll explained that they would like to repave Colfax as one entire project (instead of four sections) in the hopes of getting a better price, possibly in 2021. Roll call vote: Gerdes, AYE; Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
e. Municode Chapter 9 Revisions – Clerk Huber reported that she put a portion of Chapter 9 in Dropbox that has to do with Massage Therapy and Massage Therapists. We are going to be reviewing and updating the entire code, and this is the only recommended change for Chapter 9. The TAS Committee discussed this section and decided that since the Illinois Municipal Code covers the laws governing massage therapy and massage therapists, it is not necessary to include in our municipal code also. The TAS committee recommends repealing Byron Municipal Code 9.22. Clerk Huber added that, in the future, Council members will be able to view these proposed changes directly through Municode. An ordinance is required to do this change, and it will be presented for a vote at the next council meeting.
f. Hayden Variance – The Zoning Board of Appeals met on 2/13 to discuss a variance on the Hayden property off of Kaiser Road. There are two buildings on the property. One is a storage unit, and one is a mechanic’s shop. He wants to split the property and have one building on each parcel, and this requires variances to the setback requirements. (Lot #7-South side building setback: 8.4 Ft (25’ by ordinance), Lot #8-North side building setback 7.9 Ft (25’ ordinance), Rear building setback 18’ (25’ by ordinance), South building setback 18 Ft (25’ by ordinance). There was also an easement inserted between the buildings to allow movement between the buildings and allow access to several of the storage units. The Zoning Board voted unanimously to grant the variances. Second read is waived. Alderman Reilly motioned to approve the variances for setbacks and easements as described. Seconded by Alderman Hanlin. Roll call vote: Reilly, AYE; Hobbie, AYE; Gyorkos, AYE; Hanlin, AYE; Isaacs, AYE; Gerdes, AYE. Motion passed: AYE 6; NAY 0; ABS 0.
18. COUNCIL TALK – Clerk Huber informed Council that the name of the Celebrate 610! event has been changed to Explore 610! • Clerk Huber reported that as part of their efforts to update the second floor of city hall, she has contacted the Byron Museum and they have agreed to provide small exhibits in the display case in the Council Chambers lobby. They will change the displays twice a year.
19. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Section 2(c)11 – Pending, probable or imminent litigation
b. Section 2(c)1 – Personnel
c. Section 2(c)(5)(6) – Purchase/Sale of City Owned Real Property
d. Section 2(c)(21) – Review/Approval of Closed Meeting Minutes
e. Section 2(c)(2) – Collective Bargaining Negotiations
Mayor Rickard advised there was no need for an Executive Session.
20. COMMUNICATION –
Mayor Rickard adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:09 pm.
https://www.cityofbyron.com/vertical/sites/%7B67304C08-5FC3-4329-8F07-4786D33EE040%7D/uploads/Minutes_-_2020-02-19-Approved.pdf
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